Fashion and culture go hand in hand. Fashion tells the story of an area’s history, traditions and people. Even though fashion is constantly evolving, there are places in the world where traditional dress still reigns supreme and serves as a visual representation of its heart and soul. I have always been very fond of distant lands, and when I married a man from Panama I fell in love with the vibrant culture of this tropical paradise! It is full of life and the fashion is beautiful in an over-the-top way. They love details, bold colors, intricate patterns and SO much gold! Even though I won’t be able to visit any time soon, I can still add some Panamanian flair to my life with a little help from Sears!
See the hottie carrying the flag up there? That is my hubby decked out in a traditional Panamanian outfit during our town’s Hispanic heritage parade along with his mom, sister and nephew. It is coming up again soon and this year instead of my usual drab tank top and jeans I have decided to get festive and wear an outfit inspired by the intricate details of Panama’s beautiful Pollera dress. The Pollera is Panama’s most prominent and important piece of fashion. Girls of all ages wear it during festivals, on their wedding days and other important occasions throughout the year. They come in a few different styles but they all share the same basic look: a long white flowy dress adorned with a bold floral pattern, worn with gold jewelry and a gold headpiece. My sister in law is wearing one in the above photo, isn’t it beautiful?
Here is my take on it, I chose a simplified version using the same basic color scheme and gold jewelry but with a modern, every day feel. (Pardon the weird pose, my hubby should win an award for his ability to take the most unflattering photos EVER!)
I love it! And do you know the best part? The entire ensemble cost me a little over $60. Talk about affordable fashion! I like to build my outfits around whatever shirt I have chosen, and the accents on this Almost Famous embroidered top from Canyon River Blues embodies my Pollera style perfectly!
The Polleras wear a lot of gold jewelry, and since I didn’t have any I bought a cute pair of earrings and a necklace. I am normally not a fan of gold but I love these pieces!
This necklace from the Kardashian Kollection is my new favorite and I’m pretty sure it will become a daily staple in my wardrobe. It is simple but quirky (which I love), it matches a variety of looks and it was only $23! I was immediately drawn to it on the website, but I was blown away when I saw it in person. The photo did not do it justice at all!
How do you like my look? Everything you need to create it is available at Sears. I am usually a very thrifty shopper when it comes to buying things for myself, so I am always on the lookout for the best deals. I try to avoid paying full price when I can so this is one of my favorite places to shop. Between their already low prices and the “Shop Your Way” rewards system I always end up getting a lot more bang for my buck than at other retailers. If you don’t have a Shop Your Way rewards account, be sure to sign up for one. It doesn’t cost anything and each time your make a purchase you earn points that add up to major savings!
Check out my Google+ album for more details about each piece and where to find them!
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